Lewis, Nelson fire back at Howard

Lewis said Howard's comment was "disrespectful"

Former Magic forward Rashard Lewis called Dwight Howard's recent comments about his former Magic teammates "disrespectful" and defended Jameer Nelson, once one of Howard's closest friends.

Howard told KCAL-TV in L.A. that "my team in Orlando was a team full of people who nobody wanted, and I was the leader and I led that team with a smile on my face."

Howard, Lewis and Nelson were on the Magic team that defied odds and reached the NBA Finals in 2009.

"It's disrespectful more than anything. We helped Dwight become the player he was," said Lewis, now a member of the Miami Heat, who faced the Magic on Wednesday night.

Lewis wasn't a nobody in the summer of 2007. He was the top free agent, and the Magic signed him to a six-year, $118-million contract to help Howard win.

"We made a good run. Hell, look at those (conference and division) banners hanging in the stands. They don't say Dwight Howard on them... I think everybody should get a little piece of the credit. It's not just one guy who did everything."

Nelson said after shootaround that he was disappointed in Howard's professionalism.

"At some point, when are you [Dwight] gonna as a man, when are you going to take ownership and stay out of the media in a professional manner?" Nelson told the Sentinel.

"I would be less of a man to comment on certain things that people comment on about me and my teammates. We had a great run as a group, as core guys, and he was a part of it (reaching the 2009 Finals) and for him to say things about anybody in a negative manner, that's up to him.

"That's his opinion. If that's how he feels, that's how he feels."

Nelson and Howard were close, drafted together in the first round in 2004.

But their relationship eroded after Howard said that he would love to play with some of the league's elite point guards, such as Chris Paul.

Former Magic General Manager Otis Smith said that Howard "threw Jameer under the bus."

"Everybody on that team was very close friends," Lewis said. "Not only that, but Jameer Nelson, out of all people. I don't care. I got thick skin. That stuff bounces off me … but him and Jameer are supposed to be best friends.

"Jameer kept his mouth shut for a long time. You hear him (Dwight) say stuff like Chauncey Billups, Chris Paul, this guy, that guy, and Jameer Nelson is the one who took us to the Finals, who helped, even though he got injured."

Lewis added, "It's just strange. If anything, he should be focused on playing for the Lakers and making the playoffs."

Afflalo salutes Harrington

SG ArronAfflalo played with Al Harrington in Denver for two seasons and knows what the veteran can do. The two came over in the Howard trade last summer.

Afflalo isn't the least bit surprised that Harrington, 33, hit key shots in the Magic's victories in Philadelphia and New Orleans recently.

Harrington made a huge 3-pointer in New Orleans that gave the Magic a 99-98 lead with 66 seconds left.

"That shot, in my mind, signifies what he's about. He capitalized. It was a tell-tale sign of the struggles he's had to overcome," Afflalo said, referring to Harrington's 10-month battle to return to the court after complications from routine arthroscopic knee surgery.